UNESCO to launch international prize in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that terrorism is a serious threat to democracy, individual freedom and global economic advancement which are the core values of present day civilisation. In a facebook post on anniversary of the 2001 terror attack on the Parliament, Mr Naidu said that 13 December is a stark reminder of the menace of terrorism and its professed antagonism to democratic values and economic aspirations. Paying rich tributes to the security personnel who sacrificed their lives to defend the Parliament House, the Vice President said that their acts of sacrifice will forever be etched in the minds of the countrymen. Drawing attention to India’s proposal for adoption of a UN Convention against Terrorism, the Vice President said that many countries from across different continents support India’s voice in this regard.

-The 6th phase of DDC polls concluded smoothly across the J&K Union territory with a turnout of over 55.51 per cent. Addressing a press conference in Jamm on Sunday, State Election Commissioner K.K. Sharma said that in Jammu, voting percentage was 68.56 and in Kashmir Valley 31.55 per cent voting was recorded. Poonch district topped the list with an impressive voter turnout of 76.78 per cent followed by Rajouri district with 74.03 per cent. In Kashmir Valley Ganderbal district recorded the highest polling at 58.4 per cent followed by Kupwara District at 51.08 per cent in the sixth phase of elections. The first ever District Development Council polls are being held in J&K Union Territory in Eight (8) phases. The last and 8th phase will be held on December 19 while the counting of votes will be taken up on December 22.

-Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said opposition has double standards on the farm sector.Prasad kicked off Kisan Chaupal at Bakhtiyarpur in Patna on Sunday to make people aware about new agriculture laws. Kisan Chaupal will be organised in each district of the state till December 25. Addressing on this occasion, Prasad said the Opposition parties have joined the agitation in a bid to save their existence after being repeatedly rejected by people in different elections across the country. He further said a section of farmers had fallen prey to some people with “vested interests” and asserted that the government was working to address their reservations about the reforms.

-Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwani Kumar Choubey said seven lakh COVID-19 vaccine shots will be provided to Bihar in the first phase while one crore vaccine doses will be provided to the State in the second phase. Reviewing the supply of vaccination in the State with health officials in Patna, Choubey expressed satisfaction over preparation for supply and storage of vaccination in the State. Choubey said vaccination will be given first to health officials and thereafter to frontline workers and common people. Meanwhile, COVID-19 recovery rate in the State has improved to 97.30 per cent in Bihar. The number of active cases in the State is continuously declining. Currently, 5,241 patients are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. 576 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, while 596 new cases have been reported. 2,36,186 patients have so far recovered from the infection in the State.

-The UNESCO has decided to launch an international prize in the field of ‘creative economy’ in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Starting November 2021, the dollar 50 thousand award will be given away once in two years for global economic initiatives of the youth.According to UNESCO, the international award will create a knowledge-sharing mechanism by capturing, celebrating and communicating best practice in the development of creative entrepreneurship.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Bangladesh in a Facebook release quoted UNESCO that the award will recognise exceptional initiatives taken by cultural workers and organizations in the development of the creative economy.Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen told reporters in Dhaka on Sunday that the award will create an opportunity to spread the ideology of Bangabandhu in the world and inspire the cultural workers to develop the creative economy. UNESCO has declared 2021 as ‘International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development’.